Maui Whale Watching Tours:My Top Picks for 2015!

If you're interested in Maui whale watching tours, you'll soon
realize that there are TONS of companies to choose from. To save you the
time of researching all of them, I've narrowed down the list to my TOP PICKS!

I've
included links to individual Maui whale watching tours on the Barefoot
Tours site where you can find out more about pricing, reservations and
tour times.

My TOP PICKS for Maui Whale Watching Tours

Low-Lying Raft-Style Boat Top Pick:

Captain Steve's Early Bird Departure
looks like a great option for whale watching in Maui! They have a
great price, good reviews, hydrophones included and whale sightings are
guaranteed during whale season! I like the fact that they've been in
business for over 20 years too!

This type of boat is BY FAR my favourite!
I love the exhilarating feeling of adventure that comes with riding in
a low-lying boat speeding across the open ocean! I love the cool spray
from the waves, and, best of all, the chance to get REALLY up close and
personal with whales and dolphins!

When whale watching in Maui,
boats are not permitted to approach too close to the whales on purpose.
But if a whale approaches the boat on their own, passengers can get
the amazing experience of a really close encounter with these amazing creatures!

Just how close can might you get to some of the larger marine life when whale watching in Maui?

Well,
on our last trip on one of these types of boats, we ended up being
completely surrounded by dolphins... they were so close that I literally
could have reached out and touched them - it was an experience I will
never forget!

The main downside to this type of vessel for Maui
whale watching tours is that the ride will not be as smooth as what you
get with a catamaran... but if you don't care about that, then I'd
definitely recommend considering one of these boats the next time you go
whale watching in Maui! Also, most of these boats do not allow
children, those with bad backs etc.... so if that's a concern for you,
double check with Barefoot Tours
before you book! Also, because these boats sit so low in the water, be
sure to wear clothing that you don't mind getting a bit wet! (But
don't worry, it's not likely that you'll get soaked!)

Catamaran Top Picks for Maui Whale Watching Tours:

Both of my top picks for Maui whale watching tours on a catamaran
have a rating of "A" with the Hawaii Better Business Bureau and
generally get good reviews from other travelers. They are also smaller
catamarans, so you won't be competing for a view of the whales with 149
passengers like on some of the larger vessels out there.

To go whale watching in Maui from the south side of the island, I recommend Aloha Blue Charters.
They operate a smaller 30 passenger catamaran for their Maui whale
watching tours, which departs from Maalaea Harbour. There is a
naturalist aboard for all of their trips, which is great if you want to
not only SEE the whales, but learn more about them too!

If you'll be departing from West Maui, then I recommend you check out Trilogy.
They limit the number of passengers to 36-54 people, depending on the size of the catamaran being used, on their Maui
whale watching tours. They also have hydrophones and an on-board
naturalist. Choose from whichever departure point is most convenient:

Many of their vessels are larger than Trilogy's. However, I can tell you that more people on a larger vessel does NOT equate with more crowded in this case - I found the views were excellent, and it did not feel cramped at all.

Sailboats and Small Yachts

Since there weren't a whole lot of options for whale
watching in Maui on boats such as sailboats and small yachts, the easiest way to find one is to just browse through the listings here.

Still want to see all of the other options for whale watching in Maui? No worries! Here is a short summary for each of the other tour operators.

The Pacific Whale Foundation Maui

The Pacific Whale Foundation is a well regarded company that
definitely knows their way around whale watching in Maui! Their pricing
is decent, their large, catamaran-style boats are generally considered
suitable even for small children, they have hydrophones on their boats
(to allow you to LISTEN to the whales!), and they have naturalists on
board if you want to learn more about the whales! Because I've heard a
lot of good things about them, I wanted to devote a bit more space to
going over their various Maui whale watching tours!

1) Sunset Cocktail Cruise and Maui Whale Watching Tours all in one!

I like this idea because it combines 2 of my favourite things to do in Maui: whale watching and a Maui sunset cruise!
This combo can saved you the money you would have spent on a separate
whale watch tour! I recommend you book your sunset cruise for whale
watching in Maui early on in your vacation - that way, if worst case you
don't see any whales, you'll still have time to book a separate guaranteed whale sighting tour for later in your stay. **Before
you book, ask Barefoot Tours if you'll get a free regular whale watch
in the unlikely event that you're unlucky and don't see any whales!

Whale Song Full Moon Cruise:
As the name implies, this tour is only available during a full moon.
This is another 2 hour sunset cocktail cruise doubling as a whale watch.
Appetizers and beverages are included. What makes this outing extra
special is that an astronomer will be on board to share some great
stories about the moon and space!

Although we haven't been one of the Pacific Whale Foundation Maui whale watching tours, we DID go on one of their Maui sunset cocktail cruises.
We had a blast, and even though it was only appetizers being served,
there were enough of them that we were able to make a supper out of it!
If I end up going on another sunset cocktail cruise and it's whale
season, I'll for sure be looking into whale watching in Maui on a sunset
cruise! And if I happen to luck out and be there during a full moon
for their Whale Song Full Moon Cruise, all the better!

2) Whale Watching in Maui and Whale Education ULTIMATE combo!

Ultimate Whale Watch:
**ADULTS ONLY** 3-4 hours in total. The first 25 minutes is spent "in the
classroom" with a Pacific Whale Foundation researcher where participants
will learn about researching and photographing whales in the wild over a
continental breakfast. The next 2 hours will be spent on their
catamaran whale watching. The outing ends with a nice recap in their research lab!

Lahaina Whale Watch:
A 2 hour whale watch which departs from Lahaina Harbour. Some great
deals for small kids (ex. 1 child under 6 FREE with each paying adult at
the time of this writing.)

Maalaea Whale Watch:
A 2 hour whale watch which departs from Maalaea Harbour. Great deals
for small kids (ex. 1 child under 6 FREE with each paying adult at the
time of this writing.)

Lahaina Whale Watch Special:
This is the same as the the regular Lahaina Whale Watch except for the
fact that there is a nice discount on adult tickets ($10 at the
time of this writing) and it is only available as I write this with
departure times of 6:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m.

More Rafting Whale Watch Adventures

Captain Steve's Rafting:
Their 2 hour Maui whale watching tours depart from Mala Wharf in
Lahaina. WHALE SIGHTINGS GUARANTEED during whale season. Captain
Steve's Maui whale watching tours are not recommended for pregnant
women, people with bad backs, those who had recent surgery or kids under
five years old. Maximum 30 passengers. Hydrophones are included.
There's also an "Early Bird" 7:30 a.m. departure that will save you $8 per adult (price is current at the time of this writing).

Hawaii Ocean Rafting:
2 hour whale watch departing from Lahaina Harbour. Hydrophones
included. Whale watching in Maui with Hawaii Ocean Rafting is not
recommended for pregnant women, people with back problems, or children
under 6. Maximum 14 passengers.

More Catamarans for Relaxing Whale Watching in Maui

Gemini:
Their 2 hour Maui whale watching tours depart in late afternoon from
Kaanapali Beach, in front of the Westin Maui. A bit pricier, but
appetizers/beverages included. Maximum 49 passengers. Narration by a
naturalist and hydrophones included. Underwater viewing ports. There
is also a less expensive early morning departure
with a continental breakfast in lieu of appetizers. Passengers get on
the boat right from the beach, so be prepared to get wet up to your
knees when boarding!

Whale Watching in Maui on Sailboats, Yachts and More!

The Scotch Mist:
A 2 hour outing departing from Lahaina Harbour. Maximum 18 passengers.
Beverages, including beer and wine are included. The Scotch Mist is a
50 foot sailing yacht. Hydrophones are included when whale watching in
Maui on board The Scotch Mist.